The Broncos filled in some depth this week by re-signing linebacker Mike Mohamed to their practice squad, and adding receiver Bert Reed and offensive tackle Darrion Weems.

The Broncos signed Mohamed off the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad last week and he played on special teams in the team’s 37-6 rout Sunday of the Oakland Raiders. He was waived Monday and placed back on the practice squad.

There must be a direct pipeline between the Broncos and Colts because the Broncos also signed Weems off the Indianapolis’ practice squad this week. Weems is a rookie from Oregon who has already spent time this year with the Vikings, Patriots, Colts and Broncos.

Reed is a rookie from Florida State who has also bounced from Cleveland, where he made five catches in the preseason, and Tampa Bay.

The Broncos had two practice squad openings entering this week. To make room for the third player they release offensive tackle Adam Grant.

To help bolster a linebacker corps depleted by injuries and suspensions, the Broncos on Thursday re-signed Mike Mohamed to the practice squad.

Mohamed was a 2011 Broncos draft pick (sixth round) and was among the Broncos’ final cuts at the end of the preseason. He was most recently on the Jacksonville practice squad. Mohamed played in two games for Denver last season.

The Broncos are preparing to play Sunday’s game at Oakland without starting middle linebacker Joe Mays and reserve utility linebacker Nate Irving.

Mays has been suspended one game by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub. Mays has appealed the punishment and is awaiting word from the NFL.

Irving suffered a concussion against Houston when he was knocked out while covering a punt.

The Broncos have been thin at linebacker all season because of D.J. Williams’ suspension for a violation of the NFL’s banned substance policy.

To make room for Mohamed on the practice squad, the Broncos released tight end Cornelius Ingram.

The Broncos’ depth at linebacker may be a concern in the coming weeks with Mike Mohamed and Nate Irving having been two of the four players who left Saturday night’s preseason game against the Seahawks.

Mohamed suffered a hamstring injury while Irving has injured ribs. The Broncos came into the game a little light at linebacker with Danny Trevathan (ankle) and Keith Brooking (hamstring) held out of the game.

Linebacker D.J. Williams also did not play. He was in uniform, but didn’t have shoulder pads or a helmet. He has had limited work in camp and played in either of the Broncos two preseason games because he faces a six-game suspension to open the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Wide receiver Andre Caldwell (ribs) and cornerback Joshua Moore (hamstring) also left Saturday’s game and will be evaluated more Sunday.

Once the regular season starts in September, D.J. Williams won’t be allowed at Dove Valley, won’t be able to work out in the team’s weight room, attend meetings with Broncos coaches or practice with his teammates.

Those are the rules that go along with Williams’ six-game suspension for violating the league’s banned substance policy.

But for now, Williams remains part of the Broncos’ 90-man preseason roster. He missed two practices this week to attend his trial on drunk driving charges (he was convicted of DWAI – a lesser alcohol-related offense), but otherwise has been at every practice.

He even traveled to Chicago with the team last week, though he did not suit up and did not play.

That brings me to Saturday night. Will Williams see the field against Seattle?

The Broncos have filled the vacant spots on the active roster with two familiar faces.

Safety Kyle McCarthy and linebacker Mike Mohamed were both signed to the active roster from the practice squad. McCarthy was on the 53-man roster for more than half of 2010, and Mohamed, a rookie, started this season on the active roster.

The two players fill the spots left vacant by Kyle Orton’s release and the injury to cornerback Cassius Vaughn. The team chose not to activate quarterback Adam Weber, who remains on the practice squad.

Julius Thomas, a rookie tight end out of Portland State, works out at Valor Christian High School during the lockout.

Make that four rookies who will certainly be in camp on time.

Tight end Julius Thomas, linebacker Mike Mohamed and defensive end Jeremy Beal signed their four-year deals with the Broncos Wednesday evening.

Based on the Broncos’ rookie allocation figures, Thomas’ total deal is worth $2.592 million, with an expected signing bonus of about $385,652. Mohamed’s total contract is worth $2.2 million, with a bonus of approximately $100,300. Beal’s total contract would pay $2.125 million, and he should get a bonus of $45,900.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.